In this deeply personal episode of Naked Sports, Cari starts by honoring her grandmother, the woman whose love shaped your life in ways words can barely hold. Her passing is fresh, and the grief? It’s heavy. This episode is for her. For you. For anyone who’s carried that weight and still found the courage to speak. Cari reflects on how this podcast has become a place where she can step away from the polished TV persona and speak honestly, with vulnerability and truth. And that’s exactly what she does in today’s episode.

With the grace of the community, a new connection was formed during Cari’s recent visit to the vineyard this summer. Dr. Akua Boateng is a licensed psychotherapist and emotional wellness coach who helps Cari to unpack the complexities of grief, especially for high-functioning individuals. She shares how grief looks different for everyone and reminds us that ambition doesn’t cancel out the need for emotional care.

Together, they touch on how collective traumas like COVID-19 reshaped us, how athletes and high achievers carry hidden weight, and why healing in community is everything. Dr. Boateng’s words land like balm:

“Grief is the body and mind’s way of responding to the absence of love.”
“We are hurt in relationship, and we heal in relationship.”

The conversation is layered, healing, and exactly the kind of dialogue that helps move through pain with purpose.

Connect: @CariChampion @DrAkuaBoateng

Learn More: DrAkuaBoateng.com

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Devi Brown — a true force in the wellness space — joins Naked Sports to talk about what it means to take care of yourself in a world that never seems to slow down.

We get into her journey, how she found her way to healing, what it means to be a calming presence in chaotic times, and how every chapter of life, even the messy ones, shapes us into who we’re becoming.

Focusing on self-care, growth, and showing yourself grace — because in today’s world of go-go-go, being still might be the most powerful move you can make.

We also learn about Devi’s new book, Living Wisdom, and her reasoning and process for bringing it to life.

Connect @CariChampion @DeviBrown

Learn More: DeviBrown.com

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In this episode of Naked Sports, we’re back on the mic! Welcoming listeners in and setting the tone with a quick reflection on those recent re-aired episodes, including the one honoring Malcolm Jamal Warner and another spotlighting the rise of the new pro women’s volleyball league.

Cari shares a bit about her time in Martha’s Vineyard, not just the beauty of the trip, but the meaning behind that place. The history. The energy. The community. All of it left Cari feeling recharged and ready to return for this important interview.

The spotlight shifts to your incredible guest — Erin Haynes, the newly elected president of the NABJ. Cari and Errin discuss what it means to be a Black journalist right now. We call it what it is: wartime journalism. Errin doesn’t hold back on the challenges facing the industry, from hiring inequities to the rise of disinformation, and why advocacy, community, and truth-telling matter more than ever.

Cari and Erin get real about the stakes for journalism, for democracy, and for Black voices in media. She leaves listeners with a call to action: stand with NABJ, support the storytellers, and recognize the urgency of this moment.

Connect @CariChampion @EMarvelous

Learn More: National Association for Black Journalism

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UConn basketball star Azzi Fudd brings her championship swag to iHeart Women’s Sports with Fudd Around and Find Out, a weekly podcast that takes fans along for the ride as Azzi spends her final year of college trying to reclaim the National Championship and prepare to be a first round WNBA draft pick. Ever wonder what it’s like to be a world-class athlete in the public spotlight while still managing schoolwork, friendships and family time? It’s time to Fudd Around and Find Out!

Listen here and subscribe to Fudd Around And Find Out on the iHeartRadio app or wherever you get your podcasts!

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In this episode of Naked Sports, host Cari Champion discusses her recent NAACP Image Award nomination, the devastating impact of wildfires in California, and the journey of a professional volleyball player, highlighting the importance of women's sports and community support. 

Haleigh Washington Two-Time Olympic Medalist and Founding Athlete of LOVE Volleyball shares her journey through the world of volleyball, emphasizing the importance of humility, teamwork, and the challenges professional athletes face. She discusses her experiences playing overseas, creating a new volleyball league, and the impact of the Olympic experience on her career. The conversation also touches on the need for greater visibility and support for women's sports and personal anecdotes that highlight her personality and passion for the game.

Connect @CariChampion @Hales__Storm

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Today, Cari Champion engages with comedian Roy Wood Jr. to explore the intersections of sports, politics, and culture. They discuss the current state of women's basketball, the significance of the Super Bowl, and the evolving landscape of political satire.

Wood shares insights from his Hulu special 'Lonely Flowers,' addressing themes of loneliness and connection in modern society. 

The conversation delves into the challenges of navigating political commentary in a divided world, emphasizing the need for a new approach to discussing power and accountability. They discuss the disconnect between politicians and the everyday realities of voters, and the need for a more relatable and honest approach to political communication.

Connect @CariChampion @RoyWoodJr

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MALCOLM JAMAL WARNER

August 18, 1970 - July 20, 2025

Learn More and reflect on the life of: Malcolm Jamal Warner / @MalcolmJamalWar

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The Black Effect Presents... Naked Sports with Cari Champion!

In this episode of Naked Sports, Cari gets into it, and I mean really gets into it, around the noise surrounding Caitlin Clark and the WNBA. Let’s be clear: it’s not jealousy. It’s biased. Gender bias, media bias, and the way we constantly move the goalposts when it comes to women in sports, especially Black women. Before we get into the episode, Cari takes the time to call out these biases.

Then we switch gears and sit down with the brilliant Garrison Hayes - digital creator, historian, and storyteller who’s out here unearthing the Black history most folks never learned. They talk about the complicated legacy of Black Republicans, the narratives that get pushed (and the ones that don’t), and how identity, history, and power all show up in the public conversation.

We close out with a little WNBA love from the upcoming All-Star festivities and a shoutout for Swin Cash and her incredible Women in Sports conference.

This one’s about telling the truth, rewriting the narrative, and honoring the stories that matter on and off the court.

Connect @CariChampion @GarrisonH

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In this powerful and unfiltered episode, we take a hard look at the rise, reign, and reckoning of Sean “Diddy” Combs. From industry icon to tabloid headline, we unpack it all; the legacy, the lifestyle, and the legal heat he’s facing right now, including the fast-approaching sentencing on October 3rd.

Cari even shares some of her personal experiences that pull back the curtain on Diddy the man, not just the mogul, and the challenge of reconciling the artist with the allegations.

Mona Kosar Abdi, senior correspondent for Extra TV, joins us to help break down the legal details of the trial, the headlines you’ve heard (and the ones you haven’t), and the public’s complicated response; especially with stories like the so-called “freak offs” drawing so much attention.

Now the verdict has been announced, the bigger question remains: “When someone this powerful falls, can they ever really rise again? And should they?”

Connect @CariChampion @mokoab

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On this episode of Naked Sports, Cari Champion opens up about finding her tribe, cutting off toxic relationships (yes, we’re talking frenemies), and creating a sense of peace in a world that feels more divided than ever.

Then it’s game time: we dive into the headlines shaking up the WNBA.

From record-breaking expansion to fiery rivalries over player rankings—this week on Naked Sports, Cari Champion digs into the explosive growth of the WNBA, the drama brewing around Caitlin Clark’s All‑Star selection, and whether the league’s meteoric rise comes at a cost.

Why are some folks upset that Caitlin Clark is an All-Star captain in just her second year? What's really behind the WNBA expansion news—and why are only male owners getting the big buy-in? Cari breaks it all down with honesty and edge, from fan vote drama to long-overdue investment in women’s sports.

Mark your calendar: WNBA All-Star Weekend is July 18–20 in Indiana.

Connect @CariChampion

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